Kindergarten is fast approaching for my daughter and I find myself constantly answering questions about whether she will attend preschool. The answer is no and most parents just ask, but some have felt the need to have a strong discussion with me about how preschool helps with social skills. I’m not opposed to preschool, I just prefer to continue teaching my daughter at home until she has to start the adventure of kindergarten.
I agree that preschool can offer children the opportunity to develop many skills, including very important social skills. However, these conversations got me thinking about other non-preschool socialization opportunities that might be available in your community. Since social skills are best taught through real-life situations, I have listed some alternatives to preschool that will help develop or improve your toddler’s social skills:
1. Gymnastics/Tumble class. These classes are structured to teach children to work as a team, sit quietly in a circle and pay attention, take turns, learn new physical skills, follow directions, perform in front of others, and provide the exercise our children need. Your child will not only develop social skills within his own age group, but his self-esteem will grow week after week as he masters tricky gymnastics and tumbling techniques. Make sure the class coach has a patient, encouraging and enthusiastic attitude when working with the children and your child will become a more sociable and confident human being in no time.
2. Music Classes and Gymboree Play. Yes, the clothing retailer. The company has an early childhood education division that operates Gymboree centers throughout the United States. Programs include music and art classes, and the Centers even offer a two-hour school skills class designed especially for children ages 3-5. The Center offers one free class for each course offered so parents can preview a class before committing to a monthly plan. Parents are welcome to stay and observe or let their child experience the class on their own.
3.Discovery Centers. If these centers are available in your area, take advantage of them when you can. Discovery Centers can offer classes from 2 hours to week-long camps for preschoolers. The children learn about science, they are offered hands-on experience such as working with clay, learning textures, art, playing music, etc. Be prepared because some of the camps require you to leave the child with the instructor, but remember that this exercise is to help the child develop social skills.
4. Art Museums. Many museums offer storytimes, camps, kids’ clubs, and kid-related areas where the real fun begins. Children have hands-on experience with other children their age, including arts, crafts, use of chalk, textures, etc. They have to learn to follow directions, take turns, and share art supplies. Be sure to step back and let your toddler learn to respond to the instructor and find their way around an unfamiliar group of kids.
5. Your local zoo. Check with your local zoo for classes related to young children. Some zoos offer children’s yoga classes, art classes, and toddler classes with arts and crafts, story time, and the chance to touch and learn about select zoo animals. Classes for toddlers especially teach children to sit in a circle, learn to be quiet, raise their hands to participate, and listen and follow directions on the assigned class project.
Whether you choose preschool or choose to keep your child at home until it’s time for kindergarten, you have options to teach them valuable social skills. Do your research and look for opportunities that will expose them as much as possible. Yes, sometimes that will mean stepping back and letting them learn their way, but every little step they take will be a giant leap toward the confident beings we all want our children to become.
